The British Government has declared that it has no preferred candidate in Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, reaffirming its commitment to neutrality and support for a credible democratic process.
The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, made this known during a courtesy visit to Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, at the Government House in Ilorin.
Lever stressed that the United Kingdom would not interfere in Nigeria’s electoral process, noting that its primary interest lies in ensuring that the elections are peaceful, inclusive, and credible.
“The British government is entirely neutral. We do not favour any political party or candidate and would never be in the business of telling Nigerians how to vote,” she said.
She added that beyond democratic ideals, credible elections are also critical to economic stability and investor confidence, describing them as both a democratic and economic imperative.
“We want to see elections that are peaceful, inclusive, and credible, with full respect for institutions and space for participation,” Lever stated.
The envoy, who was on a three-day official visit to Kwara State, reiterated that the UK would continue to support democratic values in Nigeria in line with shared Commonwealth principles.
In his response, AbdulRazaq highlighted achievements of his administration since assuming office in 2019, saying the state had recorded significant progress across key sectors.
He said his government had cleared backlogs of salaries, pensions, and gratuities, while also improving workers’ welfare and restoring confidence in the education system.
According to him, the administration has met its obligations to the Universal Basic Education Commission, expanded access to education, and upgraded infrastructure in schools.
The governor added that investments in healthcare had improved service delivery, with plans underway to establish five teaching hospitals across the state before the end of his tenure in 2027.
AbdulRazaq also disclosed that the state government was considering increasing the minimum wage to N100,000, while pointing to ongoing efforts to boost agriculture and rural security.
He noted that a shea butter processing factory under construction in Kaiama would become one of the largest in Nigeria upon completion, positioning the state as a key player in agro-industrial development.
The meeting formed part of broader engagements by the British envoy aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and supporting governance and development initiatives in Nigeria.
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